FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. 33 



the soil just previous to the tomato crop, only a small percentage of nitro- 

 gen will be needed in the form of commercial fertilizer. A fertilizer carry- 

 ing 4 per cent of nitrogen, 8 to 12 phosphoric acid and 8 to 12 potash is 

 frequently used by some of the most successful growers. Nitrate of soda 

 is more essential for the early than for the late crop. 



DISTANCE APART TO SET, METHODS OF PLANTING, ETC. 



The proper distance to space he plants will vary according to the 

 nature of the soil, the variety, whether a compact or spreading habit of 

 growth and the method of training to be employed. On rather thin soils 

 and when trained to stakes, early varieties are spaced as close as three by 

 three feet. On more fertile soils, three by three and one-half or four feet 

 will be better. When trained on wires, the rows are often spaced four or 

 five feet apart and the plants from eighteen inches to two and one-half 

 feet in the rows. Late tomatoes are planted four by four or four by five 

 feet most commonly. On very rich soils, even wider spacing will be neces- 

 sary for best results. 



In the case of the early crop, it is usually advisable to furrow out just 

 before setting. If the plants are to be rowed both Avays, the ground 

 should be cross marked before the furrowing is begun. The plants 

 should never be set in dry soil unless Avatered when set. The late crop 

 can be set with a spade, dibble or with a transplanting machine. 



« 



CULTIVATION. 



As soon as the plants are set, cultivation should begin. This sh(»uld 

 be kept up frequently as long as the cultivator can be gotten through 

 between the rows without injuring the plants. It is not sufficient simply 

 to keep the weeds down. The main purpose in cultivating should be 

 to conserve the soil moisture. 



USE OF MULCH. 



On some soils and when the area is small, it is a good plan to cover 

 the ground to a depth of six or eight inches with straw or any litter 

 which will keep the weeds down and help prevent surface evaporation 

 of soil moisture. Besides conserving the soil moisture a mulch will 

 keep the fruit clean, tend to lessen the injury from dry or point rot 

 in dry weather and from soft rot in wet Aveather. 



TRAINING AND PRUNING. 



When staked, the plants are tied to the sakes in three or four places 

 with raffia or cord. Less tying is needed when trained on wires, as 

 the vines are allowed to hang over the wires and are held in place 

 in that way after they have grown to sufficient size. Special devices 

 such as barrel hoops, supported on stakes, are frequently used by 

 small growers to support the vines. Very little pruning is done except 

 in the greenhouse and Avlien the tomatoes are staked. By removing 

 some of the side or lateral branches, the remaining fruit will mature 

 somewhat earlier and average a little larger in size. This is really a 

 5 



